As the field began to settle in on lap one , Coastal Racing GasGas ’ Johnny Girroir took over the lead . As the field crossed the line to complete the first lap it was Girroir out front with a sixteen-second lead over early points leader , Am-Pro Yamaha ’ s Mike Witkowski with Riordan in third . Behind the lead trio was Phoenix Racing Honda ’ s Cody Barnes and Liqui-Moly Powersports Beta ’ s Jonathon Johnson rounding out the top five . At the end of lap two , Girroir would falter allowing Witkowski to take over the lead .
Entering the podium conversation after crossing the line ninth at the end of the first lap was Tely Energy Racing KTM ’ s Liam Draper . Barnes and Johnson would remain fourth and fifth as Riordan would drop to tenth . At the halfway point , Girroir and Witkowski were less than two seconds apart , with more than a minute ahead of Draper in third . Witkowski would suffer mechanical issues on lap four , ending his race early . With the white flag waving , Girroir was over two minutes clear of Draper , with Johnson roughly a minute back in the final podium position , with Phoenix Honda ’ s Ruy Barbosa right on his rear wheel .
Girroir would take an easy win , claiming seventh overall on the day , with Draper and Johnson rounding out the podium ahead of Barbosa , and Liqui-Moly Beta ’ s Evan Smith in fifth . Points leader Snodgrass
VOL . 7 ISSUE 11 - NOVEMBER 2022 // PAGE 95